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Thu Nov 01, 2018 6:36 pm

Since getting my Doka from the Netherlands I've realized what a difference the euro-spec front bumper makes on the front of a "short nose" Eurovan. It makes it so much better, at least in my opinion. :D Below is a picture of my Doka and a very nice US spec van I found in the gallery to show the difference. The US bumper sticks out a lot further than the Euro bumper.

This got me thinking....... Did Europe get a different bumper for the long nose? From the pictures online, it appears they are probably the same, but not sure. I have a '99 Westy also. If there is a cooler front bumper out there, I think I need it.... :) Has anyone had the opportunity to see a Euro spec long nose or better yet, compare the two bumpers? If you have, what have you found?

Along that line, I'm also trying to get a European front bumper for my '93 US Spec van. If anyone else would like one, let me know. Maybe we can save on shipping by packaging them together.

Fri Nov 02, 2018 4:25 am

Rob,

The short nose Euro (really they're ROW) spec bumpers are indeed quite different from NA spec units. You can adjust the NA spec front carrier to the proper Euro length. REmove the cover and you will see the bumper has been skinned with a "top hat" piece of metal across the entire front width. Cut this piece off and now all you will need to source is the bumper skin itself.

In '96 short nose vans received a different nose. These fenders became bolt on instead of welded on. These bumpers were more rounded and less angular. They closely approximate the long nose bumpers in their form.

The long nose bumpers were available in either smooth skin or unpainted textured/dimpled finish. They are the same here in NA or Europe. Where the long nose differed was the grills which we black where here they were colour coded.

Fri Nov 02, 2018 9:09 am

Wow, thanks Rob. You even answered my question about the carrier that I was wondering but didn't ask. :D Thank again, that was very helpful.

Sun Nov 04, 2018 12:05 pm

Glad to have shed some light on this topic.

Mon Nov 05, 2018 3:54 pm

Here's the extra metal on the end of the bumper from both angles, from a parts van. The first time I pulled off an early bumper I noticed that the tow loop, that is visible out the front of the bumper, was bolted through the orignal tow loop that is welded to the bumper. That's my van by the way. I'd love the shorter bumper, but I just coated mine.

Mon Nov 05, 2018 4:28 pm

Thanks Josh, pictures always help! Nice van.

I am planning on getting a few euro covers around the first of the year. You will be ready to coat another one by then anyway, right? :-)

Mon Nov 05, 2018 4:51 pm

That will be very tempting!

Sat Feb 09, 2019 11:38 pm

I have a couple extra European bumper covers now if anyone is interested in one. They are located in Oregon. They certainly make the front end look better. :D

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2252935

Fri Mar 22, 2019 8:42 am

would you be willing to figure out shipping to 67206 ??

thanks!!

Matt
316-three nine three-2234

Mon Mar 25, 2019 8:49 am

Here's the after.

More detailed description on how its done here.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9034099#9034099

Mon Mar 25, 2019 10:42 am

Matt-
You have PM.

Josh-
Good to see the finished product! Love it!

Wed Mar 27, 2019 8:22 am

Nice work! I really like the look of that bumper. Now I know why the European fog lights I had purchased were too short to use the factory mounts and reach the front of my North American bumper.

Mon Oct 12, 2020 1:55 pm

Kind of a stretch but I don't suppose you have any Euro bumper skins left do you? A couple of owner's ago my van kissed a curb and the bumper cover is fubarred. I've been planning to replace it and I can't get this Euro look out of my head.

Any good sources for these if you don't have any available?

I always thought the long bumper was just a convenient place to set your beer while looking at the engine... :lol:

Mon Oct 12, 2020 2:18 pm

Christ know what the postage costs would be like, but not hard to find in Europe of course.
https://www.justkampers.com/vw-t4-parts/bumpers-fitting-kits/front-bumpers-fittings.html
Still got the crappy US spec one on mine though. One day I would like to change it. .

Mon Oct 12, 2020 2:34 pm

I found this one for about 50 Euros. Put it in my cart and calculated shipping...

*lone silent tear*

Mon Oct 12, 2020 2:54 pm

What a bargain! ( https://www.heritagepartscentre.com/uk/ ) This one is actually tempting. I could buy all 5 they have for the same overall cost on shipping.

Mon Oct 12, 2020 5:24 pm

Or... I have one left if you want to make a trip to Oregon. :D

Mon Oct 12, 2020 6:17 pm

PM sent. I've always wanted to visit Oregon.

Wed Oct 21, 2020 6:14 am

rcowan wrote: Or... I have one left if you want to make a trip to Oregon. :D

Im in Tacoma and could come down this week. Shoot me a PM.

Wed Oct 21, 2020 5:01 pm

Is this also a year thing. Our 2002 has the body colored front bumper and it does not look like it sticks out as far.